diff --git a/drivers/net/xen-netback/xenbus.c b/drivers/net/xen-netback/xenbus.c
index 682e5e20971b10..17b4950ec051f4 100644
--- a/drivers/net/xen-netback/xenbus.c
+++ b/drivers/net/xen-netback/xenbus.c
@@ -648,6 +648,7 @@ static void hotplug_status_changed(struct xenbus_watch *watch,
 
 		/* Not interested in this watch anymore. */
 		unregister_hotplug_status_watch(be);
+		xenbus_rm(XBT_NIL, be->dev->nodename, "hotplug-status");
 	}
 	kfree(str);
 }
@@ -959,7 +960,6 @@ static int netback_remove(struct xenbus_device *dev)
 	if (be->vif) {
 		kobject_uevent(&dev->dev.kobj, KOBJ_OFFLINE);
 		xen_unregister_watchers(be->vif);
-		xenbus_rm(XBT_NIL, dev->nodename, "hotplug-status");
 		xenvif_free(be->vif);
 		be->vif = NULL;
 	}